The City of Houston has lifted a shelter-in-place order after firefighters battled a large structure fire in northwest Houston.
The fire broke out Wednesday afternoon at International Bearing at 5811 Dierker. Officials say an electrical pump sparked the fire.
The shelter-in-place was in effect for the following area:
- North of Clay
- West of Fairbanks North Houston
- South of US 290
- East of Beltway 8
Officials Wednesday night were still working to put out hotspots in the large warehouse. There was concern at the peak of the fire two chemicals burning could release hydrogen chloride gas, but air tests later came back clean.
The chemicals are both are used as de-greaser, and neither are toxic unless they're burning.
A worker for another company was in the process of moving a cleaning chemical from one tank to another when that pump he was using caught fire. That worker suffered burns on both of his arms and was taken to the hospital.
This warehouse is where International Bearing cleans ball bearings for several different companies, including NASA, according to the Houston Fire Department.
Officials say it could be as late as tomorrow night before the fire is completely out at the relatively large warehouse where one of the assistant chiefs on scene said is around 200 feet by 200 feet.